Adapter for lamp holders



March 20, 194-5. J. F. BEAL 2,372,051

ADAPTER FOR LAMP HOLDERS Filed July 51, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR James FBea/ IATTOR Y March 20, 1945. J, BEAL 2,372,051

ADAPTER FOR LAMP HOLDERS Filed July 31, 1940 2 SheetsvSheet 2 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Patented Mar. 20, 1945 ",UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce James F. Beal, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to The Bryant Electric Company, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application July 31, 1940, Serial No. 348,802

6 Claims. (01. 173-328) My invention relates, generally, to electrical contact making devices, and, more particularly, to adapters for use with lampholders or sockets for gaseous electric discharge lamps with which are used control switches, usually of the thermal time-delay type, for controlling the starting operation of the lamps.

In the use and operation of gaseous electric discharge lamps, particularly of the fluorescent type, it is necessary to use a control switch of a suitable type to control the starting of the lamp in a well known manner. Various kinds of control switches have been used and they have been placed in various locations with respect to the lamp or lampholder. It was common practice at one time to either mount the control switch on or within the casing of the reactor or lamp ballast. Following thi the glow relay type of control switch was developed in such form as to make it possible to mount it in any location, preferably adjacent to the lampholder in an accessible position where it could be readily removed for replacement purposes without disrupting the installation to gain access to the reactor or ballast unit.

With the advent of the glow relay, the problem arose of mounting this relay on or adjacent to the lampholder, and it is to this problem that the present invention is directed.

Accordingly, it is the object of my invention, generally stated, to provide an adapter for use with lampholders for mounting control switches which shall be of simple and durable construction and which may be readily and economically manufactured and installed with present standard designs of lampholders.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide for mounting a control switch or relay in conjunction with a lampholder for gaseous electric discharge lamps and provide electrical connections therebetween.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adapter for the purpose described which shall function to detachably support the control relay or switch adjacent the lampholder and upon which the lampholder itself may be mounted.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adapter for control switches or relays used with gaseous electric discharge lamps which shall function to detachably support the control switch and provide the necessary electrical connection terminals between it, the lampholder and the control circuit of the lamp.

A still further object of the invention is to character described which shall function to retain the control switch in it desired operating position and releasably lock the control switch therein.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a lampholder assembled with an adapter embodying the principal features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the adapter shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the adapter of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view in elevation of the adapter as viewed from the right of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end view in elevation as viewed from the left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view in section taken along line VI--VI of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the base portion of the adapter with the contact elements removed;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cover plate for the bottom of the base portion of the adapter;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of a modification of the adapter of Figs. 1 to 7; and

provide an adapter for control switches of the Fig. 10 is a similar view of a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, and to Figs. 1 through 7 in particular, there is shown an adapt er embodying thev principal features of my invention, and constituting a preferred embodiment thereof.

The adapter comprises, generally, a base portion l0 and a pair of contact elements H and I2 detachably mounted on the underside thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. The base portion I0 is of generally rectangular shape, as shown, and is preferably constructed as a one-piece member of a suitable molded composition. It is provided with a raised portion l3 at one end adapted to receive the base of the lampholder l4, as shown in Fig. 1. This raised portion I3 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending lugs l5 which extend upwardly into the terminal recesses IS in the bottom of the lampholder I 4. The base portion I0 is also provided with'a cylindrical well H at the opposite end to receive the base of the control switch l8, as shown in Fig. l.

The well I! has a bottom portion l9 which is provided with suitableopenings 20 and 2| therethrough to receive the contact pins 22 which extend through the bottom of the control switch I3. The openings and 2| may be of any suitable shape, however, in tlfis embodiment of the invention they are shaped in the form of keyholes slightly curved, as shown best in Fig. 2. These openings are so disposed as to readily receive the enlarged heads or ends of the contact pins 22, which are usually enlarged so as to provide either one or two annular holding flanges 23 and 24. The openings are provided with enlarged circular end portions 25 and 25, the other ends 21 and 28 of these openings being of lesser width than the diameter of the heads of the contact pins 22. The enlarged end portions 25 and 28 of the openings 20 and 2| are disposed in opposite relationship in order that the contact pins 22 may be inserted therein and the control.

switch rotated through an angle, of approximately 60 degrees to cause the contact pins thereof to move into the opposite ends of the openings.

The bottom part of the base portion i3 is provided with a pair of relatively deep recesses 23 and 30 adjacent one end thereof and a pair of elongated shallow recesses 3| and 32 in which the contact elements II and I2 are mounted. The base portion is also provided at its opposite end with a deep recess 33 which is open at the end of the base portion, as shown.

The contact elements Ill and l2'may be of any suitable construction, however, in this instance, they each comprise a terminal member and a resilient contact member supported thereby. The terminal member 34 of the contact element II is in the form of a stiff flat member and is disposed within the deep recess 33. The resilient contact member 35 may be made in the form of a round or flat spring member securely attached to the terminal portion 34. The contact element i2 is of the same general construction having an L-shaped terminal member 36 disposed within the deep recess 30 and a resilient contact member 31.

In this instance, the contact elements II and I2 are so shaped and positioned with respect to the openings 20 and 2| in the bottom of the well I! as to be engaged by the contact pins 22 of the control switch, as it is rotated into its normaloperating position. As shown in Fig. 3, the spring elements 35 and 31 are located in the shallow recesses 3| and 32 and are disposed along the outsides of the openings 20 and 2| and in close proximity to the under surface of the bottom of the well Each of the contact springs 35 and 31 is provided with double curved portions which partially encircle the opposite ends of the openings. Contact spring 35 has curved portions 39 and 40 and an indented portion 4| therebetween while the contact spring 31 has similar portions 42, 43 and 44. It will be observed that the indented portions 4i and 44 are between their adjacent curved portions and extend inwardly over the outside edge of the openings 2| and 20, respectively. It will be readily understood th at this shape of spring member permits the contact pins 22 to be readily inserted into the enlarged ends of the openings 20 and 2| and to become securely locked therein when the control switch is rotated so as to cause the contact pins 22 to snap behind the indented portions 4| and 44. The enlarged flange portions 23 and 24 of the contact pins extend above and below their associated spring members 35 and 31 and mechanically interlock therewith so as to prevent the switch from being pulled directly out of the well.

The free ends 45 and 46 of the spring members 35 and 31 are so shaped as shown in Fig. 3 that they normally engage the side walls 41 and 43 of the recesses 3| and 32, and thereby normally retain the spring members in the correct position. When the indented portions 4| and 44 of these spring members are engaged by the heads of the contact pins as the control switch is rotated, the spring members are in this instance spread apart and thereby exert a transverse force upon the contact pins. Further rotation of the control switch causes the contact pins thereof to snap behind the indented portions 4| and 44 of the contact springs into the narrow ends of the openings 20 and 2| and the shank portions of the pins are held against the inside edges of the openings 20 and 2|.

The contact elements I and I 2 may be mounted on the bottom of the base portion ID in any suitable manner. In this instance, the flat terminal member 34 of the contact element H extends at right angles to the contact spring 35 within the deep recess 33, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7. The rectangular opening 49 in the end of the body portion In exposes the head of the terminal screw 5| for attachment to a conductor. The recess 33 is provided with slots 32 and 53 in the opposite sides or ends thereof, as shown best in Fig. 7, which are disposed to receive the edges of the flat terminal member 34 when inserted therein from the bottom of the body portion. To further stiffen the anchorage of the contact element II to the bottom of the body portion, a protrusion 54 is provided on the bottom of the shallow recess 3| and functions as a fulcrum for the contact spring 35 when it is forced outwardly by the contact pin engaging it.

The mounting of the other contact element 2 is generally the same except that the horizontal portion 55 of its terminal member 36 lies in the bottom of the deep recess 30 and the vertical portion 53 thereof abuts the end wall 51 of the recess. A slot 58, as shown in Fig. 'I, is also formed in one corner of the recess 36 to receive the end 59 of the terminal member.

The horizontal portion 55 of the terminal member 36 may have formed at its four .comers small bosses 6| making the width of this portion such that it fits tightly between the sides of the recess as shown in Fig. 3.

When the contact elements H and I2 are mounted as shown in Fig. 3, the contact springs thereof are held in a slightly sprung position which exerts sumcient turning force on the terminal members to retain them in their respective recesses. The bottom cover 62, Fig. 8, when secured to the bottom of the base portion III by suitable fasteners 63 extending through the openings 64 into the holes 35 in the base portion, also functions to retain the contact elements II and i2 in position as the lower ends of the terminal members 34 and 36 are substantially flush with the bottom edge of the base portion.

In order to facilitate engagement of the ends of the contact pins 22 with the contact springs 35 and 31, the underside of the bottom of the well may have clearance recesses 33 and 31 formed therein along the outside and around the narrow end of the slots 20 and 2| as shown in Figs. 3, 6 and '7. The slots are of such depth and shape as to provide the necessary clearance for unobstructed movement of the lower flanges 24 of the contact pins as they are moved into engagement with the contact springs.

The adapter of my invention may be assembled and used with the lampholder, as shown in tions 96 and 91.

Fig. 1. The base of the lampholder H, which supports one end of a tubular light source, such as a fluorescent lamp 68, is mounted upon the raised end portion iii of the base portion III of the adapter and is held thereon by the screws 69 which extend upwardly through the openings H in the base portion and engage the contact elements of the lampholder.

The lampholder and adapter assembly may be supported by means of the bolt I2 from the mounting plate or cover 13 of the raceway (not shown) which contains the wiring for the lamp. The mounting plate 13 is provided with 9, rectangular opening 14 to receive the lampholder and a circular opening 15 above the well in the adapter to receive the control switch It. By means of this arrangement, the control switch l8 may be readily removed from or inserted into the adapter after removing the lamp from the holder. tacts are completely enclosed and a much neater and safer installation provided than would otherwise be possible.

In Fig. 9, there is shown a modification of the adapter which is generally the same as described hereinbefore, except that it is provided withdifferently shaped contact members 8! and 82 and, in addition, the bottom of the well 83 in the base portion 84 is provided with generally crescentshaped openings 85 and B6. In this instance the openings are provided with enlarged circular central portions 81 and 88, respectively, in order that the contact pins 22 of the control switch l8 may be inserted in one position and rotated in either direction into locking position.

In this instance, the spring members 09v and- 90 of the contact elements are disposed in shallow recesses 9| and 92 on the underside of the base portion 84 and extend along the insides of the openings in the bottom of the well instead of along the outside thereof. as in the preferred embodiment. Each of the spring members 89 and 90 are provided with two curved portions which partially encircle the ends of the openings and a V-shaped portion therebetween disposed to provide two indented portions for engagement by the contact pins 22. The spring member 89 is thus provided with two curved portions 93 and 94, a V-shaped portion 95 and two indented por- The V-shaped portion 95 engages a v-shaped portion 98 on the base, the construction of the spring member 90 being the same. In this instance, the contact pins of the control switch are inserted through the enlarged portions 81 and 88 of the openings and rotated in either direction through an angle of approximately 45 degrees, thereby causing the shank portions of the contact pins to engage one or the other of the indented portions of the spring members and snap behind the same forcing the shank portions of the pins into engagement with the edges of the openings.

A further modification is shown in Fig. 10 which is of generally the same construction as the adapter of Fig. 9, except that the spring members M0 and IM are of slightly difierent shape. In this instance, the spring members !00 and IM are provided with curved portions I02, 103 and I04, I05, respectively, which encircle the ends of the openings in the bottom of the well over about three-fourths of their circumference. These curved portions are so shaped as to engage the shank portions of the contact pins '22 and securely retain them in a locking position.

In all three embodiments of the invention dis= Furthermore, all of the wiring and conclosed the resilient contact elements serve both as current conducting members to connect the control switch into the circuit and also as locking members for mechanically securing the control switch against rotation permitting withdrawal of the control switch from the well as well as against forcible withdrawal of the control switch without rotation.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be apparent that my invention provides an adapter which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and which is made up of a minimum number of parts. It is so constructed as to provide good electrical contact between the control switch and the lamp circuit and so that it also securely retains the control switch in its proper operating position.

It may be stated in connection that while the illustrated examples constitute the practical embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the exact details herein illustrated, since further modifications of the same may be made without departing from the principles of the inven ion, as defined'in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1, An adapter 0f the character described comprising, a base member having a cylindrical well in the top thereof to receive a control switch, said well having a bottom portion provided with generally crescent shaped openings, each opening having an enlarged intermediate portion to receive the contact pins on the control switch, and a resilient contact member mounted upon the T underside of the base member and extending longitudinally thereof alongside the said openings in the bottom of the well, said contact members being bent to conform generally to the shape of the ends of the slots and in overlapping relation thereto, whereby rotation of the control switch in either direction effects engagement between its contact pins and said resilient contact members.

2. An adapter of the character described comprising, a base member having a cylindrical well in the top thereof to receive a control switch, said well having a relatively thin bottom portion provided with a pair of crescent-shaped openings, each opening having an enlarged central portion to receive the contact pins on the control switch, a resilient contact member mounted on the underside of the base member in close proximity to the bottom of the well and extending longitudinally alongside the crescent-shaped openings, said contact members being provided with terminal members which engage portions of the base member to retain said contact members in position and being bent around and in overlapping relation with the closed ends of the openings in the bottom of the well, whereby said contact springs are engaged by the contact pins on the control switch on rotation thereof in either direction.

3. An adapter of the character'described comprising, a base member having a cylindrical well in the top thereof to receive a control switch, said well having a bottom portion provided with a pair of oppositely disposed crescent-shaped openings with enlarged mid-portions to receive the contact pins on the control switch, a pair of relatively'long contact springs mounted on the underside of the base member, said springs being positioned longitudinally of the base member along the inside edge of the openings in the bottom of the well and being bent to form U-shaped portions at each end of the said openings to resiliently engage the contact pins on the control switch and lock same in position on rotation of the said switch in either direction within the well.

4. An adapter for supporting and providing electrical connections for a starting switch for an electric-discharge device comprising, a one-piece elongated molded base member provided with a recess in the top to receive the base of a starting switch and with elongated shallow recesses on the underside thereof and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the base member, the bottom of the top recess having a pair of spaced apart crescent-shaped openings therethrough with enlarged central portions to receive the contact prongs of the starting switch and permit rotation of the switch within the recess in either direction, said openings communicating with the bottom recesses, an elongated contact spring mounted in each of the bottom recesses and extending longitudinally of the base member along the inner and adjacent sides or said openings, each of said contact springs being attached to the base member at one end'only and having their free ends in oppositely disposed relation, said contact springs having intermediate protruding portions extending over the inner edges of said openings on opposite sides of their enlarged central portions whereby they are engaged by the contact prongs of the control switch when rotated in either direction.

5. An adapter for mounting a control switch for use with electric discharge lamps and the like, comprising, a base member of insulating material having a mounting surface on the top thereof at one end with spaced lugs extending upwardly therefrom to receive the base portion of a lamp holder, said base member having a cylindrical well in the top thereof at the other end to receive the control switch, said well having a flat bottom portion provided with a pair of spaced crescentshaped openings with enlarged intermediate portions to receive the contact pins on the control switch when said switch is inserted into the well and permit rotary movement of the said switch in either direction, a pair of elongated slender contact springs mounted on the underside of the base member in close proximity to the bottom of the well and having terminal members at one end only interiltting with recesses in the bottom of said base member to support said springs from one end only thereof, said springs being mounted with their free ends in oppositely disposed relation longitudinally of the base member alongside the inner side edges of the crescent-shaped openings in the bottom of the well and having indented portions positioned over the inner side edges of the said openings intermediate their ends and on opposite sides of the enlarged intermediate portions of said openings to be engaged by the contact pins when the control switch is inserted in the well and rotated in either direction, the indented portions of the springs being adapted to snap over the contact pins to releasably lock said pins in position at the ends of the openings.

6. An adapter for use with lamp holders for discharge lamps to support and provide electrical connections for a control switch having sp ced contact pins comprising, an elongated base member having a mounting portion on the top at one end thereof to receive the base of the lamp holder and a cylindrical well adjacent the other end to receive the control switch, the bottom of said well having a pair of curved elongated openings therein with enlarged central portions spaced apart to receive the contact pins on the control switch and permit rotary movement of the switch within the well in either direction, a pair of elongated shallow recesses formed in the bottom of the base member underneath the well, and an elongated slender contact spring of greater length than that of the opening in the well positioned in each of said bottom recesses and attached to the base member at one end only with their free ends in oppositely disposed relation, said contact springs extending along the inner side edges of the openings in the bottom of the well and being bent to conform generally to the shape of the ends of the openings and in overlapping relation thereto, whereby rotation of the control switch in either direction effects engagement between its contact pins and the bent portions of the contact springs.

JAMES F. BEAL. 

